THE SITE
Lohra Castle is located in northern Thuringia, Germany, within a hilly landscape at the edge of a natural reserve area. As one of the largest castle ensembles in the region, the site reflects a long and layered history reaching back to the Middle Ages. Its development is closely connected to broader processes of territorial organisation, defence, and later administrative and residential use.
The architectural ensemble preserves traces of multiple historical periods. These include medieval fortifications, remains of an eleventh-century tower, a Romanesque double-storey chapel dating to the twelfth century, and a Renaissance manor house. Further components of the ensemble comprise stables and other agricultural buildings from the nineteenth as well as early-twentieth centuries. Together, these structures document the continuous adaptation of the site to changing functions over several centuries.
Following a prolonged period of vacancy, Lohra Castle experienced substantial deterioration. In the 1990s, Open Houses, the parent organisation of European Heritage Volunteers, initiated a process of rescue and gradual revitalisation of the site through cultural activities. This approach aimed to stabilise the historic fabric while opening the castle as a place of encounter, learning, and engagement with built heritage.
Since then, Lohra Castle has developed into a location for international cooperation in the field of heritage conservation and education. A wide range of activities takes place at the site, including international workcamps, European Heritage Training Courses and European Heritage Volunteers Projects, training courses, seminars, exhibitions, and cultural events. The ongoing revitalisation of the castle is understood as a long-term process that combines conservation, use, and educational engagement, positioning Lohra Castle as a working heritage site dedicated to sustainable preservation and knowledge transfer.
THE PROJECT
The European Heritage Volunteers Projects at Lohra Castle in 2026 will continue the long-term conservation programme focusing on historic roof structures within the castle ensemble. Building on the interventions carried out during previous years, the projects concentrate primarily on the roof structures of the former sheep barn, the largest building within the castle’s economic and agricultural area, while extending conservation activities to additional historic economic and agricultural buildings located in the outer castle zone.
The former sheep barn, dating to the early twentieth century, remains a central focus of the conservation works. Participants will continue the structural stabilisation and repair of its roof structure, addressing areas affected by material degradation and structural weakness. At the same time, selected roofs and roof structures of other historic economic buildings, whose origins lie in the medieval period with later modifications in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, will be subject to further conservation and maintenance measures. The preservation of these structures contributes to the understanding of the castle’s historical production infrastructure and the everyday economic functions that sustained the site over time.
Hands-on conservation work will be led by a carpenter specialising in traditional timber conservation. All interventions will follow historically appropriate carpentry techniques and established conservation principles. Participants will work on the repair and reinforcement of timber roof structures, including the replacement of severely damaged wooden elements with handcrafted components produced to match the original construction methods. Wherever possible, priority will be given to repair rather than replacement, in order to retain maximum original material. The reuse of historic timber elements and the avoidance of modern industrial fittings form part of this approach, supporting resource-conscious conservation and the continuation of traditional craftsmanship.
The projects follow a phased and cumulative methodology, in which successive groups of participants contribute incrementally to the advancement of defined conservation objectives. This slow and methodical approach allows interventions to be carefully planned, documented, and evaluated over time, while responding to the condition of each structure. The continuity of work at Lohra Castle reflects a sustainable model of heritage conservation, where long-term care is prioritised over short-term completion.
The educational programme will complement the practical conservation activities through guided visits and thematic discussions addressing traditional carpentry, timber construction in historic buildings, and the role of craftsmanship in heritage conservation. Excursions to other sites in the region will provide additional context to the historic and cultural setting of the castle. These elements situate the hands-on work within a broader understanding of regional building traditions and conservation practice.
An integral element of the educational programme will be the participants’ presentations. Each participant is required to prepare and deliver a presentation related to the thematic focus of the activities on site, introducing a case study from their country of origin. This component connects the practical work undertaken during the programme with comparable heritage practices in different cultural and institutional contexts. Through this structured exchange, participants reflect on conservation approaches, management frameworks, and current challenges, contributing to a broader comparative understanding of heritage preservation. The presentations are intended to encourage critical dialogue, intercultural exchange, and the articulation of informed professional perspectives within an international group of emerging heritage practitioners.
The project is organised by European Heritage Volunteers and will be carried out in two editions: the first edition will take place from August 16th to August 29th, 2026; the second edition will take place from August 30th to September 12th, 2026.
